Pico Rivera · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Pico Rivera?
In Pico Rivera, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 10 (R-E, S-F, R-I, R-M-M, R-M-H and 5 more) and not allowed in 4 (Pico Rivera use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-E, S-F, R-I, R-M-M, R-M-H, PUD, P-A, C-C and 2 more
- Not allowed: C-M, C-G, CPD and IPD
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Pico Rivera Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a church or other place of worship can go
Pico Rivera's code calls this use “Community Assembly”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
The code defines “Community Assembly”: “A facility for public or private meetings and gatherings, including community centers, religious facilities, houses of worship, union halls, meeting halls, private clubs, membership organizations, and lodges and institutions of nonprofit or charitabl” (§ 18.25.040)
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-E | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.020 |
| S-F | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.020 |
| R-I | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.020 |
| R-M-M | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.020 |
| R-M-H | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.020 |
| PUD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.020 |
| P-A | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.12.020 |
| C-C | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.12.020 |
| I-L | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.13.020 |
| I-G | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.13.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Overlay zones and specific plans named in Table 18.10.010.A (not in packet). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Pico Rivera
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the R-E zone in Pico Rivera?
Only with a conditional use permit. Pico Rivera's use table lists it that way in R-E (§ 18.11.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the C-M zone in Pico Rivera?
No. Pico Rivera's use table does not allow it in C-M (§ 18.12.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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